Pentax 15-30mm f/2.8 ED D FA HD SDM WR

(From Pentax lens literature) Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation has announced the HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens. This new lens is designed to work seamlessly with the full-frame sensor of the new PENTAX K-1 camera.

When mounted on the PENTAX K-1 camera body, the lens covers a focal-length range from 15mm ultra-wide-angle to 30mm wide-angle. (Note: with a PENTAX APS-C-size digital SLR camera body, the lens covers a focal-length range from 23mm to 46mm.) Its exaggerated ultra-wide perspective and state-of-the-art optical design enable capturing high-resolution, dynamic, sweeping views of subjects, ideal for landscape photography. Treated with PENTAX-developed HD Coating, the lens produces well-defined, fine-detailed images with ample light levels even at the edges of the image field, while effectively reducing chromatic aberration and distortion to a minimum.

Its large f/2.8 maximum aperture is also well-suited for photographing nightscapes and starry skies. The built-in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) provides quiet, high-speed autofocus operation.

Main Features

1. Exceptional imaging power
   When mounted on the PENTAX K-1 35mm full-frame digital SLR camera body, the lens provides an ultra-wide-angle focal-length coverage from 15mm to 30mm. Its exaggerated perspective helps the photographer produce spectacular landscape photographs. With a 30mm focal length at the telephoto end, the lens is also well-suited to portrait and street photography.
2. State-of-the-art optical design
   The zoom lens incorporates three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements and three aspherical optical elements in its 18-element, 13-group optics to deliver high-resolution images rich in contrast even at the edges of the image field, while effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, distortion and coma.
3. Large-aperture zoom lens, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8
   Since this zoom lens provides a maximum aperture of f/2.8 over its entire zoom range, it is versatile enough to be used for many different subjects and scenes, ranging from sweeping landscapes to nightscapes and starry skies. Despite its ultra-wide-angle perspective, it can capture the subject with an excellent bokeh (defocus) effect on the background. Even in macro photography from its minimum focusing distance of 28 centimeters, it can capture subjects with a well-defined sense of depth.
4. 4. Built-in SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor)
   The incorporation of a new-generation SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) assures that this zoom lens provides quiet, high-speed autofocus operation, letting the photographer react swiftly to all types of subjects.
5. Weather-resistant construction
   Special seals applied throughout the lens body provide this zoom lens with dependable weather-resistant construction, effectively preventing the intrusion of water into the lens interior. By pairing it with a weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, the photographer has a durable, dependable digital imaging system that performs superbly under demanding shooting conditions - even in the rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.
6. HD Coating to improve image description
   The lens is treated with high-grade, multi-layer HD (high-definition) coating. Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, this PENTAX-original coating assures higher light transmittance and less reflection to deliver bright, high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlight.
7. Other features
   
   • Quick-Shift Focus System for instant switching from autofocus to manual-focus operation, by holding the shutter-release button halfway down and turning the focus ring after the subject is captured in focus by the camera's AF system.
   • Rounded diaphragm with nine blades produces a smooth, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources.
   • SP (Super Protect) coating applied to the front surface of the lens to effectively repel water and grease.

Pricing and Availability
HD PENTAX-D FA 15-30mm f/2.8ED SDM WR lens will be available in April 2016 at www.ricohimaging.com and retail outlets nationwide for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$1,499.99.